Four olympians Zoi Sadowski- Synnott, Nico Porteous, Gustav Legnavsky and Adam Hall nabbed awards as the achievements of Central Otago athletes were celebrated at the Central Otago Sports Awards (COSA) last night (May 18).

The awards celebrate Central's athletes contributions to regional, national and international sport with a wide range of awards for best team, junior and senior sportsmen and women, top coach and service to sport community.

The event was held at the Lake Wanaka Centre, with around 200 guests in attendance. Sport Central spokesperson Tiny Carruthers said thanks were due to sponsors for their support in enabling the awards to go ahead in this unpredictable covid-19 era.

The evening kicked off with the services to sport trophy being awarded to long serving Otago Country Cricket, Malcolm Jones.

New Zealand’s Olympic golden girl Zoi Sadowski- Synnott was crowned sportswoman of the year, and took out the supreme award.

Zoi won sportswoman of the year and was also supreme award winner. PHOTO: NZ Olympic team

Other Olympians featured with Nico Porteous being named sportsman of the year, and Gustav Legnavsky as the junior sportsman of the year.

Gustav was our youngest olympian at just 16 years of age who attended the recent Winter Olympics in Beijing. Following from his Olympic debut, Gustav won the Freeski halfpipe Junior World Champ in March.

Adam Hall with his award for para athlete of the year. PHOTO: Will Palmer

Another Central Otago olympian – Adam Hall, won para athlete of the year. Adam competed in Beijing, bringing home two bronze medals and he won a silver medal in the 2021 World Para snowsports champs. Adam has achieved exceptional results in the past year- considering he had not competed for three years prior due to the global pandemic.

Dunstan High School's Neve Spooner took home the junior spirit award for her contributions to ice hockey. 

Team of the year award was tightly contested between two Wakatipu High School rowing teams, with the boys under 16 coxed quad sculls coming out on top. This team won Gold medals at Maadi Cup, South Island Rowing Champs and South Island junior Club champs. 

Coach of the Year award went to Sean Thompson for his role in Zoi Sadowski-Synnott being New Zealand’s most decorated able bodied winter Olympian.

The junior sportswoman award went to Ruby Andrews. Ruby won the Freeski slopestyle junior world championships in Switzerland earlier this year. She followed this up with a second place at the European Cup event in Laax.

Ben Richards was the standout winner in the senior spirit award for his commitment and assistance to Snowsports in Wanaka. Ben is a Freeride World Tour Qualifier athlete himself, but also gives back to Wanaka Snowsports club by mentoring young athletes, standing on the committee, and coaching.

Another Dunstan High School student Pipi Horan received a nomination for junior sportswoman category and reached the shortlist for her rowing achievements.

Around 200 attendees enjoyed the gala evening and were entertained by speaker Hamish Bond. PHOTO: Will Palmer

Stay tuned to The Central App as we're planning to bring you a story about Neve and Pipi tomorrow morning.